Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not show that his hearing acuity has worsened to warrant a compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability in either ear.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of non-VA emergency care provided by Forsyth Medical Hospital from May 22, 2024, to May 25, 2024, is granted. The remaining $590.00 balance is considered reimbursable due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and other health insurance coverage.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU based on this.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear sensorineural hearing loss, but denied service connection for left ear sensorineural hearing loss.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss was denied, as his current level of hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The Veteran also had right ear hearing loss, but it did not meet the VA disability compensation standards for hearing loss.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is less likely related to his military noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of November 13, 2020, for his grant of TDIU. The Board found that the proper effective date was August 20, 2021, based on the date of receipt of the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his in-service noise exposure, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need for additional medical opinions regarding dry eye syndrome. The Veteran's exposure to burn pits during his military service is noted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected due to in-service noise exposure, and this decision grants his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher initial rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there was no legal basis to award such prior to July 22, 2022.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to errors in obtaining complete medical records and a PACT Act opinion is required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic cardiomyopathy s/p myocardial infarction, unspecified anxiety disorder with unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, right elbow osteoarthritis, right elbow limitation of supination, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 29, 2023. The Board granted the Veteran's TDIU claim for this period.

The Veteran's hearing loss was granted a 10 percent rating effective April 2, 2016. The case is remanded for further development including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for another VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss do not cause the need for aid and attendance on their own or in combination with each other. The Board denied his claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.